Delivering offers

ABSTRACT

A method and system for delivering offers is provided. The method includes enabling for a user via a device, a Web browser and an associated URL. A processor determines a manufacturer and model of the device and that the device is associated with a shared device list. A user agent receives the manufacturer and model of the device and the processor transmits the user agent, the manufacturer and model of the device, and the associated URL. The manufacturer and model of the hardware device is extracted from the user agent and a rules engine is evaluated with respect to the manufacturer and model of the device. Specified content associated with the device is determined based on results of the evaluation. The specified content is transmitted to the Web browser.

This application is a continuation application claiming priority to Ser.No. 14/594,647 filed Jan. 12, 2015 which is a continuation applicationclaiming priority to Ser. No. 13/623,176 filed Sep. 20, 2012 no U.S.Pat. No. 8,977,707 issued Mar. 10, 2015.

FIELD

One or more embodiments of the invention relate generally to a methodfor targeting offers, and in particular to a method and associatedsystem for delivering offers based on an initiating hardware device.

BACKGROUND

Presenting information to users typically includes an inaccurate processwith little flexibility. Allowing presenters to manage the informationmay include a complicated process that may be time consuming and requirea large amount of resources. Accordingly, there exists a need in the artto overcome at least some of the deficiencies and limitations describedherein above.

SUMMARY

A first embodiment of the invention provides a method including:enabling for a user via a hardware device, by a computer processor of acomputing system, a Web browser and an associated URL; determining, bythe computer processor executing a content adaption browser plug-in ofthe Web browser, that the hardware device is associated with a shareddevice list; determining, by the computer processor executing the Webbrowser, a manufacturer and model of the hardware device; retrievingfrom the Web browser, by a user agent executed by the computerprocessor, the manufacturer and model of the hardware device;transmitting to a content adaption engine, by the computer processorexecuting the Web browser, the user agent, the manufacturer and model ofthe hardware device, and the associated URL; extracting from the useragent, by the computer processor executing the content adaption engine,the manufacturer and model of the hardware device; evaluating, by thecomputer processor executing the content adaption engine, a rules enginewith respect to the manufacturer and model of the hardware device;determining based on results of the evaluating, by the computerprocessor executing the content adaption engine, specified contentassociated with the hardware device; and transmitting, by the computerprocessor, the specified content to the Web browser.

A second embodiment of the invention provides a computer programproduct, including a computer readable storage device storing a computerreadable program code, the computer readable program code including analgorithm that when executed by a computer processor of computing systemimplements a method, the method including: enabling for a user via ahardware device, by the computer processor, a Web browser and anassociated URL; determining, by the computer processor executing acontent adaption browser plug-in of the Web browser, that the hardwaredevice is associated with a shared device list; determining, by thecomputer processor executing the Web browser, a manufacturer and modelof the hardware device; retrieving from the Web browser, by a user agentexecuted by the computer processor, the manufacturer and model of thehardware device; transmitting to a content adaption engine, by thecomputer processor executing the Web browser, the user agent, themanufacturer and model of the hardware device, and the associated URL;extracting from the user agent, by the computer processor executing thecontent adaption engine, the manufacturer and model of the hardwaredevice; evaluating, by the computer processor executing the contentadaption engine, a rules engine with respect to the manufacturer andmodel of the hardware device; determining based on results of theevaluating, by the computer processor executing the content adaptionengine, specified content associated with the hardware device; andtransmitting, by the computer processor, the specified content to theWeb browser.

A third embodiment of the invention provides a computer system includinga computer processor coupled to a computer-readable memory unit, thememory unit including instructions that when executed by the computerprocessor implements a method including: enabling for a user via ahardware device, by the computer processor, a Web browser and anassociated URL; determining, by the computer processor executing acontent adaption browser plug-in of the Web browser, that the hardwaredevice is associated with a shared device list; determining, by thecomputer processor executing the Web browser, a manufacturer and modelof the hardware device; retrieving from the Web browser, by a user agentexecuted by the computer processor, the manufacturer and model of thehardware device; transmitting to a content adaption engine, by thecomputer processor executing the Web browser, the user agent, themanufacturer and model of the hardware device, and the associated URL;extracting from the user agent, by the computer processor executing thecontent adaption engine, the manufacturer and model of the hardwaredevice; evaluating, by the computer processor executing the contentadaption engine, a rules engine with respect to the manufacturer andmodel of the hardware device; determining based on results of theevaluating, by the computer processor executing the content adaptionengine, specified content associated with hardware device; andtransmitting, by the computer processor, the specified content to theWeb browser.

A fourth embodiment of the invention provides a process for supportingcomputing infrastructure, the process including providing at least onesupport service for at least one of creating, integrating, hosting,maintaining, and deploying computer-readable code in a computer systemincluding a computer processor, wherein instructions contained in thecode, when executed by the computer processor, performs a methodincluding: enabling for a user via a hardware device, by the computerprocessor, a Web browser and an associated URL; determining, by thecomputer processor executing a content adaption browser plug-in of theWeb browser, that the hardware device is associated with a shared devicelist; determining, by the computer processor executing the Web browser,a manufacturer and model of the hardware device; retrieving from the Webbrowser, by a user agent executed by the computer processor, themanufacturer and model of the hardware device; transmitting to a contentadaption engine, by the computer processor executing the Web browser,the user agent, the manufacturer and model of the hardware device, andthe associated URL; extracting from the user agent, by the computerprocessor executing the content adaption engine, the manufacturer andmodel of the hardware device; evaluating, by the computer processorexecuting the content adaption engine, a rules engine with respect tothe manufacturer and model of the hardware device; determining based onresults of the evaluating, by the computer processor executing thecontent adaption engine, specified content associated with hardwaredevice; and transmitting, by the computer processor, the specifiedcontent to the Web browser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for delivering targeted advertisements andoffers to a user based on a hardware device belonging to the user, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a client server model enabled by the system of FIG.1, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an algorithm detailing a process flow enabled by thesystem of FIG. 11, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a computer apparatus used by the system of FIG. 1 fordelivering targeted advertisements and offers to a user based on ahardware device belonging to the user, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 2 for delivering targeted advertisements andoffers to a user based on a hardware device belonging to the user, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. The above andother features of the present invention will become more distinct by adetailed description of embodiments shown in combination with attacheddrawings. Identical reference numbers represent the same or similarparts in the attached drawings of the invention.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention can be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention can take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that can allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention can take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) can beutilized. A computer readable storage medium can be, for example, butnot limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer readable storage medium can include the following:an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document,a computer readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that cancontain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention can be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code can execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer.

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions canbe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which includes one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock can occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession can, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks can sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

System 2 allows a browser extension component and a content enginecomponent to present targeted advertisements and offers to the userbased on a hardware device. System 2 enables a list of websites to readsystem manufacturer and model information from a hardware device suchthat when a user visits a Website on a list, targeted advertisements anddiscounts are delivered to the user. Alternatively, a content enginecomponent may customize advertisement content for delivery to the userbased on make and model of the user's hardware device.

System 2 of FIG. 1 includes (client) hardware devices 5 a . . . 5 dconnected through a network 7 to a client computing system 14. Network 7may include any type of network including, inter alia, a local areanetwork, (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a wirelessnetwork, etc. Hardware devices 5 a . . . 5 d may include any type ofhardware device including, inter alia, a cellular telephone, a tabletcomputer, a PDA, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, an audio/videoplayer, etc. Client computing system 14 includes a memory system thatincludes a software application 17 for delivering targetedadvertisements and offers to a user based on a hardware device (e.g.,hardware devices 5 a . . . 5 d) belonging to the user.

Software 17 enables hardware detection information to be obtainedthrough a native browser plug-in that retrieves system manufacturer andmodel information. The native browser plug-in may be based on a Netscapeplug-in application programming interface (NPAPI), a cross platformplug-in architecture, an Active X plugin for a Web browser, etc.Additionally, software application enables a process for using a hash toobscure a mac address or key shipped with a hardware device. In order toensure that user information is secure, the hardware device manufacturerand model information may be encrypted over SSL. If it is determinedthat a user Web session is not secure, the hardware device manufacturerand model information is not transmitted over the Web.

System 2 executes software application 17 for performing a process forrecognizing that a user is using a specific type of hardware device andin response specified offers are presented to the user. For example:

1. If a user is accessing the Internet with a laptop computermanufactured by company A and the user visits an online store associatedwith company A, a coupon for a 5% discount for any company A productspurchased may be presented to the user.

2. If a user visits company A website from a company B tablet computer,the user may receive a 5% discount on any company B product ordered fromcompany A.

3. If a user buys movie tickets from theater company A via a company Blaptop for a company B movie, the user may receive a coupon for a freesmall popcorn.

4. A user experience and content of a Website may be adapted based on ahardware type. For example, users visiting an online retailer via acompany A Laptop may be presented with laptop accessories and add-onswhen they visit the Website for the online retailer.

5. A hardware device type may be used to push custom software to theuser. For example, tablet computer users may be offered company A musicapplications when visiting a company A Website and video gameapplications may be offered when visiting the company A Website via avideo game console.

6. A profile of a user may be progressively generated based oncredentials provided to company A over the course of many interactionsacross different hardware devices thereby further customizing offerspresented to the user. For example, if a user is known to own a laptop,an MP3 player, and a video game console, a visit to home application forthe video game console may provide incentives and unlock add on featuresfor the home application with respect to the laptop, MP3 player, andvideo game console.

7. News feeds may be provided that are related to the hardwaredevice(s). For example, if a user experiences diagnostic issues with ahardware device, tech assistance may supplemented by a custom news feedand custom search feeds provided to the user as widgets in theirapplications.

FIG. 2 illustrates a client server model 200 enabled by system 2 of FIG.1, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Clientserver model 200 of FIG. 2 includes a client device (or system) 205(e.g., one of hardware devices 5 a . . . 5 d and/or client computingsystem 14 of FIG. 1) and a server (computing) system 214. Client servermodel 200 provides a secure mechanism to provide special offers to auser based on the user's hardware device manufacturer and model. Clientserver model 200 utilizes a Web browser's plug-in or extensionarchitecture patterns to obtain hardware device information. Clientdevice 205 includes a browser plug-in extension component 217, a sitelist manager component 218, a user agent builder component 219, and asystem attributes plug-in component 220. Browser plug-in extensioncomponent 217 builds and provides hardware device manufacturer and modelinformation to server system 214. Site list manager component 218 anduser agent builder component 219 operate within a context of browserplug-in extension component 217. Site list manager component 218 managesa list of Websites that are authorized to hardware device manufacturerand model information.

User agent builder component 219 packages hardware device manufacturerand model information into an HTTP header of a user agent. An algorithmenabled by client server model 200 initializes by when a user opens aWeb browser and enters Website URL into the Web browser. Browser plug-inextension component 217 intercepts the Web browser request anddetermines if the Website is authorized to transmit hardware devicemanufacturer and model information. If authorized, browser plug-inextension component 217 calls a native plug-in to request the hardwaredevice manufacturer and model information. Browser plug-in extensioncomponent 217 packages the hardware device manufacturer and modelinformation into a user agent and transmits a request to server system214.

Server system includes a content adaption engine 228 that includes auser agent interpreter 232, a content adapter rules engine 224 (based onhardware device manufacturer and model information), and a contentadaption render 234. Content adaption engine 228 receives a request anddetermines if the request includes a system user agent. If so, thehardware device manufacturer and model information is extracted from auser agent header and the hardware device manufacturer and modelinformation is adapted based on the information and rendered to theuser. The following description illustrates an implementation examplefor delivering targeted advertisements and offers to a user based on ahardware device belonging to the user:

As a first step, a user opens a Web browser and enters a Website. A sitelist manager determines that the user's hardware device is an availabledevice on an authorized list. A browser plug-in calls a native plug-into request a hardware device manufacturer and model information for theuser's hardware device. The Web browser adds the hardware devicemanufacturer and model information to a user agent HTTP header andtransmits a requested URL and the user agent to a server for theWebsite. The server extracts the hardware device manufacturer and modelinformation from the user agent and adapts the hardware devicemanufacturer and model information. The adapted hardware devicemanufacturer and model information is returned to the Web browser.

FIG. 3 illustrates an algorithm detailing a process flow enabled bysystem 2 of FIG. 1 for delivering targeted advertisements and offers toa user based on a hardware device belonging to the user2, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention. Each of the steps in thealgorithm of FIG. 3 may be enabled and executed by a computer processorexecuting computer code. In step 300, a user (via a hardware device)enables a Web browser and an associated URL. In step 302, the computerprocessor (executing a content adaption browser plug-in of the Webbrowser) determines that the hardware device is associated with a shareddevice list. In step 304, the computer processor (executing the Webbrowser) determines hardware attributes (e.g., a manufacturer and model)of the hardware device. In step 308, the computer processor retrievesfrom the Web browser (by a user agent) the attributes of the hardwaredevice. In step 309, the computer processor transmits (to a contentadaption engine) the user agent, the attributes of the hardware device,and the associated URL. In step 310, the computer processor extracts(from the user agent) the attributes of the hardware device. In step314, computer processor (executing the content adaption engine)evaluates a rules engine with respect to the attributes of the hardwaredevice. In step 318, the computer processor determines (based on resultsof the evaluation of step 314) specified content (advertising, coupons,offers, applications, software, etc) associated with the hardwaredevice. In step 324, the computer processor transmits the specifiedcontent to the Web browser.

FIG. 4 illustrates a computer apparatus 90 (e.g., client computingsystem 14 of FIG. 1) used by system 2 of FIG. 1 for delivering targetedadvertisements and offers to a user based on a hardware device belongingto the user, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.The computer system 90 includes a processor 91, an input device 92coupled to the processor 91, an output device 93 coupled to theprocessor 91, and memory devices 94 and 95 each coupled to the processor91. The input device 92 may be, inter alia, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.The output device 93 may be, inter alia, a printer, a plotter, acomputer screen, a magnetic tape, a removable hard disk, a floppy disk,etc. The memory devices 94 and 95 may be, inter alia, a hard disk, afloppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical storage such as a compact disc(CD) or a digital video disc (DVD), a dynamic random access memory(DRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), etc. The memory device 95 includes acomputer code 97. The computer code 97 includes algorithms (e.g., thealgorithm of FIG. 3) for delivering targeted advertisements and offersto a user based on a hardware device belonging to the user. Theprocessor 91 executes the computer code 97. The memory device 94includes input data 96. The input data 96 includes input required by thecomputer code 97. The output device 93 displays output from the computercode 97. Either or both memory devices 94 and 95 (or one or moreadditional memory devices not shown in FIG. 4) may include the algorithmof FIG. 3 and may be used as a computer usable medium (or a computerreadable medium or a program storage device) having a computer readableprogram code embodied therein and/or having other data stored therein,wherein the computer readable program code includes the computer code97. Generally, a computer program product (or, alternatively, an articleof manufacture) of the computer system 90 may include the computerusable medium (or the program storage device).

Still yet, any of the components of the present invention could becreated, integrated, hosted, maintained, deployed, managed, serviced,etc. by a service supplier who offers to deliver targeted advertisementsand offers to a user based on a hardware device belonging to the user.Thus the present invention discloses a process for deploying, creating,integrating, hosting, maintaining, and/or integrating computinginfrastructure, including integrating computer-readable code into thecomputer system 90, wherein the code in combination with the computersystem 90 is capable of performing a method for delivering targetedadvertisements and offers to a user based on a hardware device belongingto the user. In another embodiment, the invention provides a businessmethod that performs the process steps of the invention on asubscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a servicesupplier, such as a Solution Integrator, could offer to deliver targetedadvertisements and offers to a user based on a hardware device belongingto the user. In this case, the service supplier can create, maintain,support, etc. a computer infrastructure that performs the process stepsof the invention for one or more customers. In return, the servicesupplier can receive payment from the customer(s) under a subscriptionand/or fee agreement and/or the service supplier can receive paymentfrom the sale of advertising content to one or more third parties.

While FIG. 4 shows the computer system 90 as a particular configurationof hardware and software, any configuration of hardware and software, aswould be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, may be utilizedfor the purposes stated supra in conjunction with the particularcomputer system 90 of FIG. 4. For example, the memory devices 94 and 95may be portions of a single memory device rather than separate memorydevices.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinfor purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claimsare intended to encompass all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

1. A method comprising: determining, by a computer processor of acomputing system executing a content adaption browser plug-in of a Webbrowser and an associated Universal Resource Locator (URL), that ahardware device comprises an authorized available device in a shareddevice list; determining, by said computer processor, a manufacturer andmodel of said hardware device; encrypting, by said computer processor,the determined manufacturer and model of said hardware device;generating, by said computer processor, a hash obscuring a Media AccessControl (MAC) address and key shipped with said hardware device;transmitting to a content adaption engine, by said computer processorexecuting said Web browser, a user agent, said encrypted manufacturerand model of said hardware device, and said associated URL; decrypting,by said computer processor said encrypted manufacturer and model of saidhardware device; evaluating, by said computer processor executing saidcontent adaption engine, a rules engine with respect to saidmanufacturer and model of said hardware device with respect to Websitesvisited by said hardware device; determining based on results of saidevaluating, by said computer processor executing said content adaptionengine, targeted advertisements and offers related to said hardwaredevice; and transmitting, by said computer processor, said targetedadvertisements and offers to said Web browser.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said user agent is associated with a Hypertext Transfer Protocol(HTTP) header of said Web browser.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid rules engine comprises rules associated with specific types ofcontent with respect to specific types of hardware devices.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said targeted advertisements and offers areassociated with hardware portions of said hardware device.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein said targeted advertisements and offers areassociated with said manufacturer and model of said hardware device. 6.A computer program product, comprising a computer readable hardwarestorage device storing a computer readable program code, said computerreadable program code comprising an algorithm that when executed by acomputer processor of computing system implements a method, said methodcomprising: determining, by said computer processor executing a contentadaption browser plug-in of a Web browser and an associated UniversalResource Locator (URL), that a hardware device comprises an authorizedavailable device in a shared device list; determining, by said computerprocessor, a manufacturer and model of said hardware device; encrypting,by said computer processor, the determined manufacturer and model ofsaid hardware device; generating, by said computer processor, a hashobscuring a Media Access Control (MAC) address and key shipped with saidhardware device; transmitting to a content adaption engine, by saidcomputer processor executing said Web browser, a user agent, saidencrypted manufacturer and model of said hardware device, and saidassociated URL; decrypting, by said computer processor said encryptedmanufacturer and model of said hardware device; evaluating, by saidcomputer processor executing said content adaption engine, a rulesengine with respect to said manufacturer and model of said hardwaredevice with respect to Websites visited by said hardware device;determining based on results of said evaluating, by said computerprocessor executing said content adaption engine, targetedadvertisements and offers related to said hardware device; andtransmitting, by said computer processor, said targeted advertisementsand offers to said Web browser.
 7. The computer program product of claim6, wherein said user agent is associated with a Hypertext TransferProtocol (HTTP) header of said Web browser.
 8. The computer programproduct of claim 6, wherein said rules engine comprises rules associatedwith specific types of content with respect to specific types ofhardware devices.
 9. The computer program product of claim 6, whereinsaid targeted advertisements and offers are associated with hardwareportions of said hardware device.
 10. The computer program product ofclaim 6, wherein said targeted advertisements and offers are associatedwith said manufacturer and model of said hardware device.
 11. A computersystem comprising a computer processor coupled to a computer-readablememory unit, said memory unit comprising instructions that when executedby the computer processor implements a method comprising: determining,by said computer processor executing a content adaption browser plug-inof a Web browser and an associated Universal Resource Locator (URL),that a hardware device comprises an authorized available device in ashared device list; determining, by said computer processor, amanufacturer and model of said hardware device; encrypting, by saidcomputer processor, the determined manufacturer and model of saidhardware device; generating, by said computer processor, a hashobscuring a Media Access Control (MAC) address and key shipped with saidhardware device; transmitting to a content adaption engine, by saidcomputer processor executing said Web browser, a user agent, saidencrypted manufacturer and model of said hardware device, and saidassociated URL; decrypting, by said computer processor said encryptedmanufacturer and model of said hardware device; evaluating, by saidcomputer processor executing said content adaption engine, a rulesengine with respect to said manufacturer and model of said hardwaredevice with respect to Websites visited by said hardware device;determining based on results of said evaluating, by said computerprocessor executing said content adaption engine, targetedadvertisements and offers related to said hardware device; andtransmitting, by said computer processor, said targeted advertisementsand offers to said Web browser.
 12. The computer system of claim 11,wherein said user agent is associated with a Hypertext Transfer Protocol(HTTP) header of said Web browser.
 13. The computer system of claim 11,wherein said rules engine comprises rules associated with specific typesof content with respect to specific types of hardware devices. whereinsaid user agent is associated with a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)header of said Web browser.
 14. The computer system of claim 11, whereinsaid targeted advertisements and offers are associated with hardwareportions of said hardware device.
 15. The computer system of claim 11,wherein said targeted advertisements and offers are associated with saidmanufacturer and model of said hardware device.